Love Song: Brits on Board, #2

By Gemma L. Perfect

"LOVED IT! couldn't put it down. A great mix of emotions... Cannot wait for the next in the series." Emma, amazon review

Hudson James is a legend. His ex girlfriends include supermodels, popstars and the most beautiful actresses who ever graced the silver screen. He's the man who always gets what he wants.

♥ And this time, he wants Robyn ♥

Robyn is used to no-strings flings, and she's had plenty of them. But now a world famous rock star wants her – and he even writes a song for her – but she's just a nurse on a cruise ship and she knows she'll never feel like his equal, especially if she gives everything up, just to be with him.

Can she get the most famous man in music to drop everything and stay by her side? Damn right she can!

 

* All the books in the Brits on Board series are stand alone books with Happy Ever Afters, zero cliffhangers, and recurring characters I know you'll grow to love. They should be read in order to avoid spoilers *

• Language: English
• Publisher: PERFECT INK PUBLISHING
• Release date: Jun 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201122553

Book preview

Chapter 1

Robyn plonks down on to the lounger beside Ava with an enormous sigh. I still can’t believe you were leaving the ship without telling me. She opens the wine and pours a glass, handing it to Ava.

Thank you. I got you pepperoni.

Thanks, I’m starving. Robyn grabs a slice of pizza, closing her eyes when she takes the first bite.

You’re not drinking? Ava asks, gesturing at Robyn’s water.

Nope. I’m on call. Sadly. I could do with a drink or three. It’s been a pretty dramatic day.

I know. I didn’t want to leave. Don’t be mad at me, but I was-

Broken hearted, devastated, sad; I know. Don’t worry – I’m spreading a rumour of my own.

What do you mean?

I’m telling anyone and everyone who’ll listen that there’s no way you were a virgin; that you’ve left a string of broken hearts in Wales, and that Mack is damn lucky to have you.

Ava laughs and rolls her eyes, grabbing a slice of pizza and taking a huge bite. Really?

Yeah. Nobody believes anything that little shit Gary had to say. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

Thanks. I suppose.

Robyn waves her slice of pizza. I still can’t believe you were going.

Are you ever going to forgive me?

Has Mack forgiven you?

Ava nods.

Then I can, I suppose. And you two are okay?

We’re good. I guess we both over reacted.

Robyn nods, taking a bite of pizza. See, people reckon I’m too open, and I say things I shouldn’t, but I have never had a misunderstanding with a man. You have to talk, say what you want, say what you think.

I’m not sure I’ll be as open as you are, but I think we’ll be okay. I know we will.

Good. Love makes me happy.

Yeah?

Yes. Listen, I might be playing the field right now, but one of these days, someone will get me to stay past the third date, and then look out. Marriage, babies, divorce.

Ava spits out her drink, she’s laughing so much. Divorce?

Robyn grins and eats the last bit of her pizza. Probably. It’s pretty common.

That’s sad.

It is. Romance isn’t all hearts and flowers, you know. You might be lucky now with Mack – but don’t forget how rubbish Jason was. Besides, if I expect less than perfect, I won’t be disappointed.

I didn’t realise how jaded you were.

Robyn shakes her head and pours more wine for Ava. Not jaded. Sensible. Realistic.

Well, I’m happy to be optimistic. Hopeful. Romantic.

Robyn pretends to throw up, and Ava rolls her eyes, but they’re both laughing.

After an hour, Mack joins them, snaking his good arm around Ava’s shoulders, and kissing her. Robyn grins at them both; she couldn’t be happier that they are still together, and Ava is still on board. Her pager beeps.

On that note, Robyn says, draining her glass and standing up.

You don’t have to leave, Ava says.

We can control ourselves, Mack says, winking at Ava.

Robyn grins. I’m glad. Pool side sex is only fun if you don’t have an audience. And I speak from experience. I have to go. She holds out the pager. I have a hot date with... well I won’t know until I get there.

I hope it’s nothing too serious.

Me too, Robyn says. Have fun, little ones, I’ll catch up with you soon.

Robyn leaves the love birds by the pool, reminding Mack to take painkillers for his broken arm, and heads down to medical.

She’s been on board Ocean’s Majesty for the same amount of time as Ava, and she’s settled in nicely. Work wise, it’s been fine; nothing she can’t handle. She might be a party girl when she’s not on duty, but she’s a damn good nurse. She gets her caring nature from her mother. And her grandmother. They were both nurses, though her gran was a midwife. She never fancied that, but she loves nursing. And nursing on cruise ships is a joy; she never gets bored, she doesn’t have to work long hours, and she gets to see the world.

It’s perfect for her.

And, it’s also the perfect setting to meet lots of men. Men who won’t be around longer than their holiday. She hasn’t ever slept with a colleague – it might work for Ava and Mack, but it wouldn’t work for her. She likes to say goodbye to her conquests pretty sharpish.

If she’s only docked for one day in Malta, then she can’t stay any longer with the man she’s spent the afternoon with. And if a bloke is only on the ship for a week, then he can’t argue when he has to go home, and they never see each other again.

It works for her.

She hasn’t met the love of her life, and she doesn’t want to. She loves no-strings sex, booty calls, hook ups. Whatever you want to call them; she loves them. No excuses, no awkward encounters, no disappointment. Just sex. Everybody knows what they’re getting, and everybody ends up happy.

She’s already found her first conquest for this cruise; during the muster, she flirted up a storm with a tall fella from London. Jamie or Jack, she can’t remember, but she offered to meet him in the Green Room tomorrow evening at eight.

It gives her a thrill every time, a boost, a buzz, a kick. She loves it.

And she never lets any of them get close. She doesn’t do dates – life on the ship doesn’t lend itself easily to dating and relationships and she doesn’t see the same man more than three times. It’s a rule.

She straightens her shoulders in the lift and puts her work face on, an expression of calm and concern.

Evening, she greets Preston, the ship's doctor. What have we got?

Evening, Robyn. We have a lovely old lady, but she’s not well. Her son is with her, and he’s worried. I think she might have underlying health issues, but she’s complaining of a headache. I’ll just finish with my other patient, then I’ll come through.

Okay. I’ll go and see them. What’s her name?

Eliza.

Eliza. Got it.

Robyn!

She frowns at him; he seems jittery, not his usual calm self.

What?

The son is Hudson James.

Who?

Hudson James.

No! You’re kidding? The Hudson James?

Preston nods, ears pink with excitement.

Hudson James is on the ship. This is going to cause a riot.

Are you sure?

Yes. He gave me his name, her name. And it’s him. There’s no mistaking him.

Robyn takes a deep breath. If Hudson’s mother isn’t well, that’s what she needs to concentrate on. But Hudson James! She cannot wait to tell everyone. She hopes he’s as nice in real life as he always seems on the TV. She was only listening to his new album yesterday.

She shivers. She has to be professional, even if she feels giddy.

Robyn pushes open the door to the treatment room and smiles at the little old lady sitting in the wheelchair. She looks frail; she’s probably in her nineties, but she looks unwell, too. Her face is grey.

Robyn hunkers down beside her, not daring to look at her famous son. What if she blushes? Stammers? Says something stupid?

Eliza?

She’s not right, a man’s voice says, and Robyn turns to greet him, faltering slightly because he’s so good looking. And yes – there’s no doubting that it’s Hudson James. A few feet away from her.

He’s older than her, probably in his fifties, but he’s gorgeous – he’s got bright blue eyes that are full of concern right now, silvery white hair, and the lightest grey stubble too. He’s tall and trim and wired with tension. Hudson bloody James.

I can see she’s not right, Robyn murmurs, turning her attention back to Eliza. The old lady looks up and meets Robyn’s eyes; tries to smile. Her hands are shaking.

She turns back to Hudson. Does she have underlying health issues?

He runs his hands through his hair, expression tinged with regret. He pulls a seat over to his mum, the scraping across the floor making Robyn wince. He sits and takes his mother’s hands.

Yes, nurse. She’s not well.

Robyn sits across from him, trying to keep her voice light. This woman looks like she should be in a hospice, not on a cruise ship. She’s torn between wanting to admonish him for bringing his mother away when she’s clearly unwell and wanting to ask him to sign his name somewhere on her body so she can have a tattoo made of his signature.

What’s wrong with her?

She rarely looks this bad – I’m not sure if the trip down has tired her out, or if the sea’s not agreeing with her.

Robyn clears her throat. The lady looks like she’s at death’s door. Where did you travel from?

Down from Scotland.

Today?

He nods, clearly furious with himself. He lifts his mother’s hand and kisses it. She’s not well, but she wanted to get away. She wanted a holiday. Before the end.

Robyn’s stomach churns; what a stupid idea. It won’t be much of a holiday for either of them if Eliza spends the entire time in the medical ward.

Do you have other family with you? Robyn asks – if this goes the way she fears it might; he’ll need support.

No. It’s just me and mum.

Robyn takes a breath. Okay. Let’s get some fluids in her. We’ll keep her on the ward tonight.

No – she won’t like it if I leave her.

Robyn tucks her chair under the table.

You can stay with her. It’s the first day so our beds are all empty. Stupid man; she adds the insult under her breath. Why would you bring someone so ill on a holiday like this? His mother should be tucked up in a warm bed, not travelling across the sea at however many miles an hour they are going.

Robyn’s quick and efficient, setting up a bed and a drip for Eliza and a bed for her son. Her idiot son; he might be good looking but he’s pretty thick. He might be a star, the legend of British music, but he’s not too bright.

Let’s get her comfortable, then the doctor will assess her.

Thanks. He looks like he’s going to say something else, but Robyn turns away from him, pushing Eliza through to the ward.

Does she have nightclothes? Robyn asks. Toiletries?

Yes. I’ll get them. I’ll get my stuff too. Thank you. And sorry.

Robyn keeps talking to Eliza, ignoring her son, and making sure the old lady isn’t scared.

Preston comes through to the ward.

It’s ridiculous, Robyn says, leading him away from Eliza. She looks like she’s minutes from death – she must have cancer. Her eyes fill with tears. Why the hell would he bring her on a cruise ship? What a pillock.

Preston pats her arm.

It’s not for us to question.

Well, it should be.

Easy.

I’m fine. She takes a deep breath. I won’t show him that I think he’s a selfish pillock.

Make sure you don’t. Whether he should have brought her or not, he’s a VIP.

Is he? Robyn wrinkles her nose; he’s not behaving like a VIP. He’s behaving like a twat.

Of course he is. I know we look after all our patients the same way, but it’s Hudson James. I have to get a selfie with him.

Robyn rolls her eyes. Really? A selfie?

Preston grins at her; he’s on a roll, acting like a teenager.

He’s friends with Elton and Paul McCartney too. I’ve been to so many of his concerts. Hudson James!

Robyn shakes her head; she’s worried Preston’s going to pass out from the excitement of it all.

You need to relax. I’ll talk to Eliza.

I can’t relax. Don’t you think it’s exciting?

Robyn shrugs. It’s a little bit exciting, maybe. They have celebrities on board from time to time. The last ship she was on had one of the presenters of BBC breakfast TV once, but never the calibre of someone like Hudson James. You imagine the likes of him holidaying on private islands.

He’s hoping to keep his holiday quiet – he’s not brought an entourage. Preston is jabbering as though he’s best friends with the man. Just him and his mum, I think. She’s not well, but she’s always wanted to go on a cruise with him.

Well, if he’s so rich and famous, why didn’t he take her when she was young enough and well enough to enjoy it?

Probably too busy being rich and famous.

Robyn rolls her eyes and goes back over to check on Eliza. What a selfish little prick. She loves him and all his songs, but it seems crazy to bring his mum on a holiday like this.

Eliza reaches for Robyn’s hand.

Where’s my son?

He won’t be long, Eliza. He’s just gone to get your things. You’ll sleep here tonight with him, and I can keep an eye on you. Make sure you’re comfy. Get you feeling better.

Eliza shakes her head, tears filling her eyes and spilling onto her cheeks. She grabs hold of Robyn’s hands, squeezing them and crying, clearly terrified.

At that moment Hudson runs back into the ward.

He pushes Robyn away from his mother, and drops down in front of her, taking her hands and hushing her, soothing her. She’s wailing by now, and he turns to glare at Robyn.

What the hell have you done to her.

Robyn puts her hands up placatingly but feels a flash of anger.

Nothing. I told her you were fetching her things, that’s all.

She bites her lip; she desperately wants to tell him off for bringing such a frail and clearly unwell woman on holiday. Pillock.

He hugs his mother and then gestures for Robyn to join him, a few metres away from her.

She needs to go back to our suite.

She can’t. She’s not well.

She hates hospitals, doctors, anywhere that feels institutional.

She’s not well. She can’t go anywhere.

Where’s the doctor?

He’ll tell you the same thing. Your mother isn’t well. She needs a drip – minimally and possibly more care than that. She needs to stay.

Where’s the doctor?

Robyn sighs and plasters a fake smile on her face. Chauvinistic asshole. What can the doctor say that she hasn’t already said?

Preston! she calls for him and then folds her arms over her chest. She’s looking forward to the rich and famous, and clearly spoiled and rude, Hudson getting what he deserves – the doctor saying exactly the same thing as she has. Eliza has to stay.

Eliza can go, Preston says, touching Robyn’s arm.

Robyn opens her mouth to argue, but Preston shakes his head.

They have a suite – they have the space. We can take a drip up and anything else we need. Mr. James would prefer it.

She raises her eyebrows but refuses to argue with Preston or look at Hudson; she’s sure he’s smug and vindicated. Why the hell is Preston pandering to him?

I’ll need you to stay there tonight, Robyn.

She steps closer to Preston and keeps her voice low. No, thank you. I don’t want to.

You don’t get to choose the jobs you want. He’s a passenger – an important passenger, and he wants his mother to be comfortable.

Then he should have left her in the house. Really? I have to stay in their cabin? And watch her all night? That’s not fair.

It’s our duty.

Robyn lets out a mirthless laugh. If it’s our duty, why aren’t you doing it?

Preston doesn’t reply, just gives her a look that tells her she’s overstepped the line.

I need to get my things.

What things? You’re not going for a sleepover.

My charger, my toothbrush. My comfy shoes.

Preston sighs but nods, and without looking at Hudson or Eliza, Robyn leaves the medical deck.

She rushes back up to the pool area, hoping to catch Ava and Mack so she can bitch about Hudson and Preston for a minute, but they’ve already left.

Pip, have you seen Ava?

Pip is sitting on the edge of the pool, legs in the water, skirt bunched up.

They just left. I’m glad she came back, but they’re so loved up now.

Robyn laughs. So gross!

What did you need her for? Can I help?

Robyn sits on the chair by the side of the pool and sighs.

Probably not. I just wanted to have a quick moan.

You can moan to me.

Robyn smiles; she doesn’t know Pip like Ava knows Pip. Pip is part of the theatre cast and rehearses daily with Ava. Robyn knows she took Ava under her wing when they both first came on board.

She was lucky to have Neema – the other nurse, who sort of did the same for her – but because they work opposite each other, they don’t have much time to mix.

I’m an excellent nurse, Robyn says. I have a great bedside manner, and nothing fazes me – blood, puke, shit; I’m all good. But they have tested my patience tonight. I wanted to complain, that’s all.

It’s good to get it out, Pip says. If the passenger is always right, that means we’re always wrong – and sometimes you just need to vent. Vent away.

Robyn pulls off her shoes and sits with her feet in the water.

You know Hudson? The rock star, Hudson?

Pip frowns, but nods.

Well, he’s on the ship.

You’re kidding. I love him.

Well, I don’t.

Why? Is he the one testing your patience? We’ve only been on board a few hours.

Well. He’s a pillock for a start. I had a call out, and it was his mum – she’s not well. But Pip, she looks like she’s dying, honestly. She looks so ill – she’s grey. She shouldn’t be on holiday; she should be home in bed.

That’s crazy.

Right? So she’s on the ward, and needs a drip and who knows what other medical care, but he refuses to let her stay there and says she freaks out in hospitals, so she’ll need to be tended to in their suite. Like he’s the king or something.

What did Preston say?

Preston agreed with him. And I have to stay the night there to make sure she’s okay.

That’s hard. Seems a bit unfair.

It’s super unfair. I’m just going to get a few bits from my cabin, but I’m not happy. He’s so rude, Pip.

Pip leans against her, and Robyn rests her head on Pip’s shoulder for a second.

I best go. His mother’s a sweet pea. It’s not her fault her son’s a pillock.

Exactly – focus on her and ignore him. Celebrities always think they’re entitled – but it’s not about him; it’s about her. Let me know how it goes.

Robyn grabs hold of her shoes and hurries to her cabin. She’ll probably get a row off the king of the ship for taking so long. Hudson. Stupid bloody name too.

She swaps her smart uniform of a skirt and blouse for scrubs; she’ll be more comfortable in trousers; it might be a long night.

Preston glares at her when she gets back to the ward, but she shrugs.

I needed a number two.

He rolls his eyes at her words, but Robyn turns her attention to Eliza.

Hey, Eliza. You’re looking a little better.

She’s already attached to the drip and looking a little brighter – her skin a little less dull.

You took your time, Hudson says, pacing the floor, and snapping at her on his way past.

Robyn ignores him and takes Eliza’s hand.

Let’s go, shall we?

Hudson grabs the stuff he’d brought down from their suite, Preston pushes the wheelchair, and Robyn holds the drip; it’s on wheels, it just needs steering.

She’s standing closer than she’d like to Hudson in the lift; there’s not much room with the wheelchair and the drip, and she ends up with her boobs pressed against his back. She tries to angle herself a different way, but then it’s like she’s rubbing her boobs on him, so she just keeps still and tries not to blush.

Pillock.

He glares at her when the lift opens and he steps out, and she sighs; he’s probably so used to groupies, he thinks she wanted to rub her boobs on him. She can’t think of anything she’d like less. She wants to punch him, not flirt with him.

The suite is lovely; they always are. Spacious and luxurious, with plenty of room for Eliza and her drip.

Preston and Hudson talk about important matters that only men can understand, and Robyn gets Eliza into her nightgown.

This is pretty. Periwinkle blue, I think, she says, pulling the nightgown